Points East

Since Tuesday, we have been travelling back and forth, to and from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The teenager had his orientation beginning Wednesday at 7 a.m. With that time in mind, we (the hub, teenager and I) decided to go up Tuesday afternoon so we wouldn't have to leave Nashville at a God-awful hour Wednesday morning.

The cuz arrived Tuesday afternoon, and we had enough time to have a fun lunch before I had to leave her and the kid here under Miss Sherrie's supervision. I hated leaving them, but this orientation was a must for all of us. Where in the world would I be without Miss Sherrie these days? I shudder at the thought.

We made it to UT by dinner time and checked the teenager into his dorm. The hub and I decided to stay at a local hotel, thank you very much. There was no way I was sleeping in a dorm. Ew. We all decided to try the new pub in town which we enjoyed very much. The poor teenager was so nervous that he could hardly eat. Poor guy. He has such a nervous stomach inherited from his father. Recently, I know how he feels. Not good. By the time we finished, we had a little time to walk about the campus before the sun went down.

I don't know what this is, but I sure love the old Southern charm of it.

This is the guest house. Sweet little cottage right down the street from the teenager's dorm. It's rumored that Michael Jackson stayed here. The guide then said "But we really don't believe that!" What on earth would the gloved one be doing at UT?

The football stadium is even larger than I had imagined. Big doings down here on Saturdays. GO big orange!

We had a busy day on Wednesday. Unfortunately, at the hideous hour of 7 a.m, I forgot my camera in the car and didn't get any pictures of our orientation. Boo hiss. The hub had to leave this morning for more points east, as in the Far East, so we had to leave after our part on Wednesday and leave the teenager there to fend for himself. It was a completely different orientation for the students and the families, so it all worked out ok. And so, we drove the three hours back home yesterday. Sigh.

Made it home in time to take the kids and Miss Sherrie to go see Wall-E. Cute.

Somehow, I got it in my head that it would be fun to drive to Chattanooga with the kids today and then go pick up the teenager in Knoxville later this afternoon. Not too smart. While it is about an hour closer from Chattanooga to Knoxville, I didn't count on a traffic jam going down there and thus only having an hour to spend before having to head back up to Knoxville. Lordy. We were, however, able to ride the Lookout Mountain Incline train to the top of the mountain and back. Worth 2 hours' drive? Uh, I don't think so. But fun just the same. You only live once, and I like to show the cuz as much as I can while she's here. Oh yea, and me and my ideas about going to the top of things. While it wasn't as hair raising as the Eiffel Tower, it still was a task prying my bloodless fingers from the poles once we arrived to the top. Ya think I will ever learn? I guess if I do, I will hide under the covers for the rest of my life. Too short for that. I'll have to continue to scare myself silly.

On a good day, you are able to see seven states from Lookout Mountain--Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.

The kid took these photos. I sure wouldn't look down once we got to the top and out of the train.

By the time we made it back down to the base, the teenager called and it was time to get back in the car and drive another two hours to Knoxville. Lord have mercy. At least the kids were able to get a little nap in during some of the downpours we drove through. Some more white-knuckle moments today.

The teenager was in good form once we arrived much to my surprise. I thought for sure he'd be mad because it had taken us so long to get there. He was so excited by the thrill of it all--college! He gave the kids a little tour of the campus. It was a lot of fun and nice seeing the kids together. This may be the last time. Sniffle.

Even though I hated to, we got back in the car and drove three hours back home. If I never drive again, it will be too soon. Guess what. We're heading to Riverside tomorrow! Six more hours in that car!

Oooof.